Trades and roles
Warriors -
These are the men and women who take up arms come rain or shine to battle their enemies - it was crucial to keep themselves trained and battle ready. During the Migration Period, both men and women would take up arms to protect their encampments, families and belongings.
Armor and weapons depended on the status and experience of each individual, starting with the basic kit of a tunic and trousers, a spear and possibly a shield.
As members develop within the group, their status may become higher within the community and different weaponry and armour such as maille, swords, axes and war-coats is more easily available.
These are the men and women who take up arms come rain or shine to battle their enemies - it was crucial to keep themselves trained and battle ready. During the Migration Period, both men and women would take up arms to protect their encampments, families and belongings.
Armor and weapons depended on the status and experience of each individual, starting with the basic kit of a tunic and trousers, a spear and possibly a shield.
As members develop within the group, their status may become higher within the community and different weaponry and armour such as maille, swords, axes and war-coats is more easily available.
Seamstress -
A role that would have normally have been filled by women, duties included making and repairing clothes as well as the production of yarn and fabrics. Materials were dyed with plants, berries and other organic sources like lichens and fungi. Tablet weaving was one many other textile skills they possessed these skills were passed on from generation to generation. Children would also help with wool carding, spinning as the process could take up to six months to be able to make a dress from the raw materials to finished product.
A role that would have normally have been filled by women, duties included making and repairing clothes as well as the production of yarn and fabrics. Materials were dyed with plants, berries and other organic sources like lichens and fungi. Tablet weaving was one many other textile skills they possessed these skills were passed on from generation to generation. Children would also help with wool carding, spinning as the process could take up to six months to be able to make a dress from the raw materials to finished product.
Blacksmiths -
The creators and engineers of their time, they would smith everything from weapons to tools, even trinkets - implements like ploughs, axes and spears for hunting, along with eating and cooking utensils.
Forges were small but efficient which was more than enough for a skilled blacksmith to use in which to heat metals to colors of red orange and even yellow, he would hammer for days maybe even weeks to create these items he would design.
The creators and engineers of their time, they would smith everything from weapons to tools, even trinkets - implements like ploughs, axes and spears for hunting, along with eating and cooking utensils.
Forges were small but efficient which was more than enough for a skilled blacksmith to use in which to heat metals to colors of red orange and even yellow, he would hammer for days maybe even weeks to create these items he would design.
Cooking -
Food was eaten on a seasonal base, but food was also salted and smoked in order to preserve it. As farmers they were able to grow crops like oat, rye and early forms of wheat along with root vegetables and legumes. They would have also gathered wild fruits and berries and hunt wild animals for both food and their pelts.
Cooking would have been done over an open fire in a cauldron, on a skillet or a spit, fire pits were also used for longer cooking times.
For refreshments they would drink a weak beer on a daily basis as the quality of the water could be suspect. During celebration times they would enjoy such things as mead, stronger beers and feasting.
Food was eaten on a seasonal base, but food was also salted and smoked in order to preserve it. As farmers they were able to grow crops like oat, rye and early forms of wheat along with root vegetables and legumes. They would have also gathered wild fruits and berries and hunt wild animals for both food and their pelts.
Cooking would have been done over an open fire in a cauldron, on a skillet or a spit, fire pits were also used for longer cooking times.
For refreshments they would drink a weak beer on a daily basis as the quality of the water could be suspect. During celebration times they would enjoy such things as mead, stronger beers and feasting.
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Leather work and wood work -
Leather was one of the most common materials of the period and was widely used for many things including clothing, footwear, bags, pouches and water bags. Leather items were highly decorated, especially for personal items such as knife and swords sheaths. All Germanic peoples coming from Northern Europe were excellent woodsmen and were skilled woodworkers. Most early Anglo Saxon buildings were made of wood and the majority of tools used were crafted from wood. Most weapons and shields were also made of wood, making the carpenter an important member of the tribe. A pole lathe which they used to make many items such furniture, bowls and many other day to day items. |
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Roles for Children -
Children were able to do any of these roles and jobs as apprentices or would have followed in their parents footsteps. Children were trained to fight from a young age so they could protect themselves as they would be the next generation and would carry on their family's blood line.
Games were still a big part of their lives things like Nine Men's Morris and play fighting with wooden, makeshift swords which was seen as training to their elders. Unlike children of today they were forced to grow up quickly, it was vital for survival.
Children were able to do any of these roles and jobs as apprentices or would have followed in their parents footsteps. Children were trained to fight from a young age so they could protect themselves as they would be the next generation and would carry on their family's blood line.
Games were still a big part of their lives things like Nine Men's Morris and play fighting with wooden, makeshift swords which was seen as training to their elders. Unlike children of today they were forced to grow up quickly, it was vital for survival.
Medicine -
Saxon doctors were called cunning folk and would normally be one person, a woman or man skilled in leechcraft (herbs and cures). Some of the plants that were used still grow and are in use today. A lot of the cures consisted of tonics, poltices and compresses, some of these plants used would be on a trial and error basis. In these times there was a big influence from magical and mythical origins or beliefs. Again like most skills it was past down through the generations.
Saxon doctors were called cunning folk and would normally be one person, a woman or man skilled in leechcraft (herbs and cures). Some of the plants that were used still grow and are in use today. A lot of the cures consisted of tonics, poltices and compresses, some of these plants used would be on a trial and error basis. In these times there was a big influence from magical and mythical origins or beliefs. Again like most skills it was past down through the generations.
